Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come
BELGIUM 09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come

The Belgian broadband market reached 5.15 million lines in Q3 2025, an increase of 0.5 percent year-on-year. All the main providers added customers, but Telenet lost market share, while Orange showed a small gain. Proximus' share was little changed, and Digi is still a negligible presence, according to the latest edition of Telecompaper's Belgian Total Communications report.

UK broadband users will not tolerate GBP 4 monthly price increase - Uswitch
UNITED KINGDOM 09:42

UK broadband users will not tolerate GBP 4 monthly price increase - Uswitch

New research from Uswitch.com shows that a GBP 4 monthly price increase would be unmanageable for one quarter (24%) of UK broadband customers. Customers said they could cope with an average increase of GBP 2.70 per month before considering moving to a different supplier; with 17 percent saying they would accept no increases to their broadband bill. Furthermore, one third (32%) of Brits spend more time worrying about utility bills now than two years ago; with 19 percent saying they put up with increases but

US, Taiwan strike USD 500 billion semiconductor trade agreement
TAIWAN 08:38

US, Taiwan strike USD 500 billion semiconductor trade agreement

The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US have signed a trade deal designed to reshore America's semiconductor sector. The US Department of Commerce said it expects this commitment of investment from Taiwan to strengthen US economic resilience, create high-paying jobs, and increase national security. Taiwanese semiconductor and technology enterprises will make new, direct investments totaling at least USD 250 billion to build and expand semiconduct

Play introduces new business broadband offer
POLAND 15 JAN

Play introduces new business broadband offer

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, has introduced its new fixed broadband offer for B2B customers. Options of 300 Mbps, 1 Gbps and up to 8 Gbps are available, and customers choosing a package with the maximum speed are also offered a permanent IP address, the internet security service, mesh equipment and a service level agreement for service restoration within eight hours of a disruption. Symmetric links are available in selected locations for PLN 10 monthly. Monthly subscription rates start from PL

Spotify raises subscription price in US to USD 13 per month
UNITED STATES 15 JAN

Spotify raises subscription price in US to USD 13 per month

Spotify is raising its subscription prices in the US, Estonia and Latvia. The standard price in the US increases by USD 1 from February, to USD 12.99 per month, both for existing and new subscribers. The price of a Premium subscription already went up in much of the rest of the world last October. Spotify's last price hike in the US dates from July 2024. 

Globacom offers 'Travel Saga' role-playing game
NIGERIA 15 JAN

Globacom offers 'Travel Saga' role-playing game

Nigerian operator Globacom has announced the launch of a premium gaming service called Travel Saga, exclusively to subscribers on the Glo network. The role-playing adventure game has been fully optimised for mobile access and provides console-style play on data-enabled handsets. Travel Saga involves fast-paced virtual journeys across iconic locations around the world.

Fastweb ups cost of more mobile plans by up to EUR 3/mth next month
ITALY 15 JAN

Fastweb ups cost of more mobile plans by up to EUR 3/mth next month

Fastweb (Fastweb+Vodafone) has announced on its website that several more mobile plans in its portfolio will be subject to a price increase of up to EUR 1 a month starting in February. The unilateral price hikes range from EUR 1 to EUR 3 a month and are again being justified by the need to continue guaranteeing the best network quality and offering services to meet customer needs.

Swiss competition authority starts preliminary investigation into Microsoft licence fees
SWITZERLAND 15 JAN

Swiss competition authority starts preliminary investigation into Microsoft licence fees

The Swiss Competition Commission started a preliminary investigation to look into Microsoft's increasing prices for license fees in the country, a move that might lead to an unlawful restriction of competition. The price increase relates mainly to the licence to use Microsoft 365 by private businesses, government agencies, public companies and other government-related bodies.

Tiscali latest to end free UK roaming
ITALY 14 JAN

Tiscali latest to end free UK roaming

Tiscali has become the latest Italian operator to inform customers that it has ended free roaming for those visiting the United Kingdom, reports Mondo Mobile Web, citing an update to the company's website. Following the official departure of the UK from the European Union in 2021, the operator has notified customers that 'roam like home' is no longer be applied in the UK, which has been moved from the EU Zone to the Zone 1 list of foreign countries.

BH Telecom increases data roaming allowances for Western Balkans
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 14 JAN

BH Telecom increases data roaming allowances for Western Balkans

Travellers within the Western Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo) are now benefiting from more affordable mobile internet when roaming, effective 01 January 2026. This is part of the gradual reduction in wholesale rates agreed with the EU. Bosnian operator BH Telecom confirmed that all customers, regardless of their package (Extra, Teen, Student, or Ultra) will see an increase in their mobile internet allowances for roaming in the region as a result.

Starlink Spain doubles entry-level roaming data to 100GB
SPAIN 14 JAN

Starlink Spain doubles entry-level roaming data to 100GB

SpaceX has announced that subscribers to its entry-level Starlink Roam rate will now have access to 100GB of data a month at no extra cost, compared to the 50GB available previously. The company also now allows subscribers to continue accessing unlimited data at a reduced speed once their monthly bundle has been consumed.

Free increases price of entry-level fibre package
FRANCE 14 JAN

Free increases price of entry-level fibre package

French operator Free has increased the price of its 'Pop S' dual‑play broadband package for new sign‑ups to EUR 24.99/month, up from EUR 23.99 previously. All the inclusive services within the package remain unchanged, except for the guarantee to keep the cost unchanged for five years, which has now been removed following its introduction in May 2025. As before, Free is marketing this broadband bundle with inclusive VoIP calls as a web-exclusive 'Serie Speciale' (Special Series) offer, which usually indicat

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 14 JAN

LG Uplus launches tailored compensation plan for SMEs

LG Uplus has launched a new internet plan, 'SOHO Safe Compensation', designed specifically to help small business customers prevent financial losses. The SOHO Safe Compensation plan automatically blocks access to websites suspected of smishing, phishing, or quishing attacks that can lead to financial fraud. In addition, the plan provides compensation for losses and covers repair costs for business devices, making it a dedicated internet plan for small business owners.

UNITED KINGDOM 13 JAN

Brits plan to stay home in January to save money - Virgin Media O2

New research from Virgin Media O2 shows that Brits are looking to make financial savings in January, with half (50%) having already spent their wages from December. The average person needs to save GBP 230 more than an average month in January, with just over one fifth (22%) saying they need to save at least GBP 400 this month. Brits are seeking financial advice from AI (39%), as well as social media influencers (27%).

ITALY 13 JAN

TIM raises cost of more prepay plans by up to EUR 3/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that certain prepaid mobile plans will be subject to price increases from EUR 1.99 to EUR 2.99 a month starting on 14 February. The increase is the latest of several unilateral price hikes announced for other mobile, landline and pay-TV offers, all of which the operator attributed to changes in market conditions.

POLAND 12 JAN

Plus introduces roaming pack for winter sports fans

Polish operator Polkomntel, trading under the Plus brand, introduced a new roaming package for fans of winter sports. The package is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers and is valid in Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, Austria and France. Customers receive a 6 GB package valid for a month, at a cost of PLN 30. The offer will be valid until 30 April.

SLOVAKIA 12 JAN

LepsiaTV adds 2 new TV channnels

Slovak online TV service LepsiaTV has expanded its pay TV lineup with the channels 360 Tune Box and Erox HD. Both channels are added to the Classic package, costing EUR 9.59 monthly, as well as the Top package, costing EUR 12.59 monthly. 

POLAND 12 JAN

Play offers promo of 5G smartphone contracts

Polish operator Play, controlled by Iliad, started s a promotion of 5G smartphones in its shops. Up to 50 percent discounts are offered to customers buying devices and connecting to S+, M, L or Homebox plans from the operator using number porting. That means the Xiaomi 15T Pro 5G costs PLN 1,799 instead of PLN 3,599, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G is reduced to PLN 1,499 from PLN 2,999, and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G is offered for PLN 1,199 instead of PLN 2,399. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro is down to PLN 5

NETHERLANDS 12 JAN

Vodafone NL expands unlimited data offering with 3 new plans

Vodafone Netherlands has launched three different unlimited mobile data plans. With speeds up to 1 Gbps over 5G, the plans differ in the amount of call minutes and roaming allowances. They are available for both consumer and business customers, with the latter also getting extra security and connectivity options. 

BULGARIA 12 JAN

A1 Bulgaria intros discounts of up to 80% on smartphone purchases

A1 Bulgaria has launched a promotion, slashing smartphone prices by up to 80 percent for customers looking to upgrade their devices. This promotion will offer discounts on cash purchases and flexible leasing options paired with Unlimited plans.

UGANDA 12 JAN

ZTE Uganda introduces Blade A36

ZTE has introduced its Blade A36 smartphone aimed at Ugandan consumers seeking quality, durability and affordability. Jason Zhang, country director, said the Blade A36 embodies its vision of delivering world-class devices at prices that make sense for the market.  The cost in Uganda generally ranges from UGX 220,000 to UGX 250,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, typically with 4GB RAM (expandable to 6 GB dynamic) and 64 GB storage.

GLOBAL 12 JAN

Xiaomi's Redmi Note 15 phones set for wider commercial availability from 15 January

Xiaomi has scheduled additional market entries on 15 January for its latest generation Redmi Note smartphones. While Xiaomi did not go into specifics on each territory's launch schedule, the Chinese release was in August 2025 and shipments to Indian consumers reportedly began on 06 January.

ITALY 12 JAN

TIM hikes price of further landline plans by up to EUR 5/mth

Telecom Italia (TIM) has announced on its website that more existing landline customers will be subject to a price increase of EUR 2.99 to EUR 5 a month (including VAT) applied to their plans starting 01 February. The company attributed the increase to "economic needs arising from the need to sustain the investments connected to the increase in data traffic".

SOUTH AFRICA 12 JAN

Icasa still working on rules for mobile data rollover

 The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is working on new rules that will allow consumers to roll over their mobile data bundles, MyBroadband.co.za reported. Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, said that Icasa is finalising the regulations for publication. Tau, who was responding to a Parliamentary question, said the regulations will address the rollover and transfer of data bundles to align with the Consumer Protection Act.

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Background

09:51

Belgian mobile market under pressure from Digi, broadband impact still to come

15 JAN 08:55

Fairphone still a small player but market share growing in Netherlands

12 JAN 00:04

The week in telecoms: CES brings Wi-Fi 8 and more smart glasses, while Warner sticks with Netflix

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts